Does Every Sentence Have an Object?
This is a very common question for learners of English grammar: "Does every sentence have an object?" The short answer is no — not every sentence has an object. But to understand why, we need to look deeper into sentence structure, types of verbs, and examples.
Let’s explore in detail what an object is, when it’s used, and how it affects sentence meaning.
What is an Object in English Grammar?
In grammar, an object is the part of a sentence that receives the action of the verb. It usually comes after the verb and answers the question "what?" or "whom?"
Examples:
He reads a book. (What does he read? → book is the object.)
She called her friend. (Whom did she call? → her friend is the object.)
Types of Objects
There are mainly two types of objects:
1. Direct Object
The person or thing directly affected by the verb’s action.
Example:
She drinks coffee.
(Coffee is directly being drunk.)
2. Indirect Object
The person or thing who receives the direct object.
Example:
He gave his friend a gift.
(His friend is the indirect object; gift is the direct object.)
Do All Sentences Need an Object?
No. Many complete and grammatically correct sentences do not need an object. These sentences usually have:
Intransitive verbs
Or a subject + verb only
What Are Intransitive Verbs?
An intransitive verb is a verb that does not need an object to complete its meaning.
Examples:
She smiled.
He sleeps early.
The baby cried loudly.
We arrived on time.
In all of these examples, there is no object, but the sentence still makes perfect sense.
What Are Transitive Verbs?
Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete the meaning.
Examples:
I bought a phone. (What did I buy? → a phone)
They watched a movie. (What did they watch? → a movie)
If you remove the object, the sentence becomes incomplete or confusing:
❌ I bought. (What did you buy?)
❌ They watched. (Watched what?)
How to Identify if a Sentence Has an Object?
You can ask the question:
"What? or Whom? after the verb."
If the answer exists, it's likely an object.
Example:
He kicked the ball. → Kicked what? → The ball (object)
She ran. → Ran what? → No answer → No object
Examples of Sentences Without Objects
Here are some valid English sentences that do not have any object:
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Birds fly. | “Fly” is intransitive. No object. |
| She sleeps well. | “Sleeps” doesn’t require an object. |
| The sun rises. | “Rises” is intransitive. |
| I work here. | “Work” doesn’t act on anything. |
| They swim every day. | “Swim” is an intransitive verb. |
Examples of Sentences With Objects
| Sentence | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|
| He reads books. | reads | books |
| I play cricket. | play | cricket |
| She made a cake. | made | a cake |
| We visited the museum. | visited | the museum |
Common Mistake: Assuming Every Sentence Needs an Object
Many learners mistakenly think that a sentence must have an object to be complete. But English grammar allows for both complete sentences with and without objects, depending on the verb.
Just remember:
Intransitive verbs → No object required
Transitive verbs → Object required
Why This Matters in Writing and Speaking
Helps you form correct sentences
Improves your understanding of verb types
Avoids confusion when reading or listening to English
Knowing whether a sentence needs an object or not is essential in improving your grammar, especially when writing essays, answering exams, or speaking fluently.
Summary: Does Every Sentence Have an Object?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does every sentence need object? | ❌ No |
| What kind of verbs need object? | ✅ Transitive |
| Can a sentence be complete without object? | ✅ Yes, if verb is intransitive |
| Examples of no object sentences | She smiles, They walk, It rains |
FAQ
🔸 Q1: Can a sentence be complete without an object?
Yes, many sentences are complete without an object if they contain an intransitive verb. For example: He sleeps.
🔸 Q2: What is an object in a sentence?
An object is a word that receives the action of the verb — it answers "what?" or "whom?".
🔸 Q3: How do I know if a verb is transitive or intransitive?
Ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb. If there’s a clear answer, it's transitive.
